Hayward

Kennedy Expressway Cap Images from suntimes.com

Oh I'm sorry, I misread. It seems like residents wanted a building no more than 4 stories. Basically... everything the same height. I remember of concerns of traffic entering and exiting the building which is absolutely silly. When you consider FAR and existing traffic in the alley it might increase 5-10%...Hardly noticeable. And it was replacing a lumber yard....Big trucks anyone?? Really I don't see the big deal. Set the max height at non-rail / commercial neighborhood intersections at 70' and everyone wins.

So very sad. While I never met him personally. I just expect to see him post here everyday. He shared many great things with us. I will keep him and his family in my prayers.

No there was lots of stuff from the late 1800's. Stuff built immediately after the Great Fire. A 1915ish building is being torn down for the business school. I kind of like it though I realize it's dime in a dozen in the city. But I think older buildings effectively balance the neighborhood. Gold Coast is nice because there's mid and lowrise gaps that provide variety in the city fabric. But the "Chill Bar" building or whatever people call it is looking raggedy. It's missing prime elements of its defining architecture so I won't lose sleep. However there's question whether the two red brick old buildings shown here will be retained. I keep hearing they will, and from other people they won't. http://goo.gl/maps/uKQqg EDIT: Just read that they are orange rated in the landmarks survey. They may be protected which is why the taller part of the proposed building appears to step back.

^ Yeah that Uptown target took long. But maybe because it included apartments? I kind of wish this one did too. I wish Division became a bit more midrise. It's safe to be said nothing really gets above 4 stories except around Polish Triangle and a block from the lake. Last time something was proposed at 5 stories in WP, residents balked at how tall it was and the shadows cast would ruin the neighborhood. FIVE stories!!! :yap: As reported by crains, 35 story tower proposed behind soon to be constructed 9-story business school.

Its crazy but the Chicago stop has a lot of the same issues, the McDonalds right next to it is a hotbed for crazy stuff - I see an army of police there all the time and have heard many a story of flashmobs and fights. At least on that Stop I've pinpointed the source, there is a particularly rough YMCA in the same building as the Foot and Ankle clinic. Its crazy because again its the gold coast, and not only that but also a huge touristy/suburbanite nightlife district. I'm glad they are cleaning up the Clark/Division stop, I think its the last really decayed red line stop - I still remember Grand looking like something out of the third world and now its quite a showpiece for the rest of the system. I think Rahm's administration has done positive for the design of new stations - the ones put in under Daley have a lot of issues esp the brown line stations without proper shelter and already rotting wood. They should have used synthetic wood. I realize there's this historic attachment with wood platforms, but there's nothing cool about it when people laugh at their condition. The synthetic wood could have been done tastefully, provide better slip resistance, better ADA travel surface, better color retention, and much easier to clean. I'm also not pleased with using concrete at Fullerton and Belmont years ago. They should have used some sort of diamond / hone finish granite that looks even, doesn't stain, and will last a century. Here's a pic of the new Target construction in Cabrini Green. It will be 3-stories and totally concealed parking http://www.skylinenewspaper.com/news/07-27-2011/Cabrini_Target_reveals_design I actually wish the target was built at Halsted and Division, not Division and Larrabee. I also don't understand why CDOT had not begun improvements on Division in late summer early fall. They are supposed to replace the bridge and widen the street but that could take over a year. Things just seem badly coordinated.

I think there's a shelter down the ways on Clyborn and that flophouse right there at the corner. While the total number of rooms isn't much, if only a small fraction of the residents were near the stop loitering it would be a decent sized crowd. The proximity of that housing + very cheap fast food joints + convenience stores that sell alcohol + Jewel that sells alcohol and has a coinstar machine + proximity to a very rich neighborhood + proximity to busy subway stop I guess make the perfect storm for a panhandler hangout. Generally all the people there are harmless and rarely harass anyone. Just kind of stand around and exist. But some individuals are mentally ill and it's very sad. Someone needs to give them assistance and treatement. Even if they have access to a warm bed in their own room, it's only just a small part of the solution. Standing outside all day in a cold Chicago winter is not healthy for anyone. But there's nothing wrong with banning people form loitering around subway stations. It doesn't matter if it's a group of homeless or rich people. Keep the area around stairways clear of people so we can get where we need to go.

Looks like a great year. Seeing those Pittsburgh photos..I really need to get back.

I know it's terrible. Technically Clark and Division is my most convenient stop, but I get off at Chicago for the past two years. Once I got off at Clark and Division and I swear they were spraying everything down with some caustic acid. The vapors burned my throat and eyes. I was like, damn this is what it takes? Technically the whole system architecture is a failure. The stations were antique design even when they were built. They had things like columns, narrow stairways, separated mezzanines, and stair enclosures. It was until the 60's that deep-tunnel innovation was perfected. You then started seeing column free stations, floating mezzanines and stairs. In such configurations, one security guard or station attendant could monitor fare and train platforms from one point. There were no places for people to hide or sleep.

Clark and Division / Clark and Lasalle New station entrance and extension. From 42nd Ward website

Demolition of Hunt Club is planned to begin days following their New Years Party and a new bar and restaurant will be constructed New Design: http://blog.chicagoarchitecture.info/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/374.jpg

So you've finally pissed of the people in your 'hood! See how you bring down the quality of a neighborhood? And that's why I avoid the neighborhood meetings. All the residents ever do is complain about a lack of free parking and how the tall towers cast shadows, so there must be no more tall towers or there will be more shadows.

MTS I am embarrassed that I can't even answer most of your (very pertinent) questions...I am ignorant but I know that there's help for me here starting here on this very forum! I'll find out more about my old suits tonight. They were given to my by my much more tasteful brother. I would seldom wear a suit outside of work. However I do need an infusion of dressier options (blazers and nice shirts/pants) for going out to dinner, etc. Oh, budget for a suit is around 450.00 which I'm figuring out may be unrealistic for anything quality. However the JAB-type sale that HTS mentioned (800.00 for 3) sounds like a good option. And has anyone every gone to M Lang? Or how about Christophier on Clifton? Again, thanks everyone for your input it's much appreciated. I'm in drugs right now so excuse me, but Lawd, my work is cut out for me on this one! I guess the gays have to save the day again. What would you people do without us? Seriously, take a good inventory of your closet including, shoes, belts, etc.. How old are you? Now go online and look at banana republic, DKNY, Kenneth Cole, Express, Zara, J crew, top shop, and see if there are "looks" you like. Just post the things you like. I know you want to stay local, but in order to meet your budget and develop a style we'll have to start somewhere. I guess I'm doing alright since I shop at all the stores listed above for clothes. I go to Nordstrom and Barney's once in a great while. Other than that it's t-shirts, jeans, hooded sweatshirts lol. Correction: Only been to TopShopTopMan to buy a hat. Not really my store lol

Growing up during the dark ages of Michigan towns where pretty much every downtown commercial building was boarded up (things are much better now), many NW Indiana towns are in good shape in my perspective. These towns took a big hit with the shrinking steel industry. But there's been plenty of industrial growth in other sectors and it still remains a viable area for new manufacturing.

Tomorrow we are having an open house at our new office and impressing all our clients. All employees were asked to wear suits and look their best.......And not get messy when the drinking starts. The fact that I'm taking time to prepare for tomorrow to wear a suit is a huge deal. Last time I wore a suit to work, a neighbor of mine asked if I was going to an interview on the elevator ride down lol EDIT: MTS, I'm using the front door of my apartment building tomorrow.

Off topic, but Thugnificent aka Otis Jenkins on the Boondocks series was pretty considered a representation of Ludacris. And of course...Huey never cared much for Thugnificent in the series.

That's actually Ludacris (from 6 years ago)

It is massive, but beautifully done. And I love the Esquire Marquee letters as you walk in through the entrance. Interestingly, the sloping floors of the theater are still there. They just built up the floors to be level

Walgreens renovated and restored an old bank building in Chicago's Wicker Park. The store has become somewhat of a tourist attraction. Similarly, CVS moved into an old ornate bank space one subway stop down, and did a nice job. But this Walgreens sure made a grand slam on this. Here is what you see immediately when you enter the store through the vestibule Here is the view from the Mezzanine which has cosmetics, beauty counters, etc. Near the entrance, escalators take you downstairs to the pharmacy. The waiting area for the pharmacy and clinic look like something from a 5-star luxury hotel. But the coolest thing is the Vitamin vault Nicest pharmacy I've ever seen Heading back upstairs you see the ornate entranceway. more photos to come I just need to get them off my phone.

LOLOLOLOL!!!!! I imagine businesses shaking their heads. Why don't "those people" just get back inside!!! I agree and when you people do need to venture outside, going forward, please use the service entrance/exit. I do use the service exit. Admittedly I can't remember the last time I used the front door. But when I do, I will most certainly make my presence known.

So my bicycle got badly damaged when a car left the roadway and crashed into it while parked in a bike rack. The first bike was totaled. My bike had a front rim bent and a torn brake line. There was hydraulic fluid on the sidewalk. It's all repairable, but the bill will come to $130. The good news I will not be responsible for costs. Taxpayers will foot the bill on this one as my IRS commuting benefits have not been used this year.

Apple's obstinate attitude toward expandable storage, porting of other devices, etc is what will cause more customers to turn away. Now that so many other devices have caught up to their phones and tablets, they can't continue pricing their higher capacity devices at hundreds more.

Heritage Hill is so damn beautiful. 6 years ago I was VERY close to living here for a summer.

That's it, you can see them from the train sometimes More tear down rebuilds. I think they were late 1800's wood homes in terrible shape. Despite that I'm a die hard preservationist, these new homes look gorgeous

Btw for the first time ever in years I plugged in an ethernet cable to my computer to download Mountain Lion faster as opposed to the wireless I've been using the past 3 years. Of course they installed the jack years ago in the worst place and on the opposite side of the room from the cable jack. Makes no sense.